Olde Brick Outdoor

Outdoor Hearth for the Patio

For the garden and patio lover there are several varieties to choose from when it comes to the outdoor hearth. There are traditional hearths, portables, the chiminea style, and of course the fire pit. Some can burn wood, are gas fired, and some that will burn both gas and wood. The outdoor hearth for a patio setting will fit whatever design you want.

Some of them are equipped with a barbecue cooking grill and some even look like a barbecue grill. Their sizes can vary from small to very large, and their shapes can be almost anything. If the casual theme is your style, a portable fire pit may work quite well. Your choices range from very rustic to something contemporary. Before deciding on any type of outdoor hearth you need to abide by your local fire regulations.

A traditional hearth is designed for use with a chimney, and is usually constructed of stone or brick similar to your living room fireplace. They usually have a firebox made of stainless steel and constructed to withstand the outdoor weather conditions. The majority of them also contain a drain that helps to eliminate any built-up precipitation. This type of hearth is usually a permanent structure and must adhere to your local building codes.

The chiminea, a terra cotta free standing wood stove, has been built by Mexican craftsmen for many years. Their initial use was for baking but they also found that it was a comfortable place to keep warm for outdoor festivities. They are still being built in the old form and we generally use them for keeping warm during cool evenings. The material used for building them today can be clay, cast iron, or cast aluminum. Cast aluminum and cast iron are much more durable than clay plus the aluminum will not get rusty.

The portable hearths are usually built of stainless steel and their screen is a steel mesh. Some of them can be constructed with wheels and others will have handles on opposite ends for moving around the patio. The majority of these portable outdoor hearths have a 360 degree view of the flames, similar to a fire pit, which makes it easy to seat many people completely around it.

Fire pits are generally low and round that can either be built into the ground or portable and sit on a small elevated stand. Many of your in-ground fire pits are an open area of ground where a gas line has been installed and a small wall of brick or concrete surrounds it. A portable fire pit looks similar to round coffee table with the pit itself in the center. It also includes a screen for spark control. Another style of fire pit model is a unit that has a circular bowl or pit that sits on top of a four legged structure. This fire pit has a dome shaped steel screen to control the sparks and the entire unit is lightweight. If you expect rain, this particular fire pit bowl can be turned upside down so it will not collect any rain water.  

The outdoor hearth that is permanently built is generally used with an outdoor living room and can be used casually or formally. The fire pit and chiminea are basically for casual living on the patio and they can be moved around to any other area of your backyard. Either way you look at it, an outdoor hearth is place for entertaining and relaxing.

About the Author

Barbara and her husband have a portable fire pit in their backyard and consider it their hearth for warming during the evening. They are learning different things all the time and what to share. Please see their website Gardeners Garden Supplies for more information.

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